Strategy: Funding Your Travel Through Home Renovations

Renovate and Earn Rewards Points
Renovating your home and travelling seem to be two distinct projects that are not necessarily financially compatible. When planning renovations, a trip is usually not in the annual budget plans!
However, with a different approach, your renovation work can become a springboard to fund your next trip. It’s a great reward for your patience and perseverance, especially after spending time amidst dust, plaster, and paint!
To improve the house, we dove into the work and, at the same time, accumulated points. Here’s the strategy I used to take my whole family to Orlando for 5 days, with all these expenses incurred with contractors and at renovation centers.
Thanks to using my points, the total cost of my trip was approximately $1,000, or $50 per person per day, including the hotel, flights, meals, souvenirs, and park tickets! Not bad for a trip that would have cost $6,000.
Airline Tickets with Aeroplan Points
I have a TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite* Card and my spouse has an additional card. As a result, we have earned enough Aeroplan points for four round-trip flights from Montreal to Orlando. It allowed us to get free checked bags for the flight.
At Home Depot and Rona, we used our card to earn all the points from the welcome offer.
- Annual fee
- $0 $139ⓘNo annual fee the first year
- No annual fee the first year
- Our valuation
- $1,139ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,000Annual fee rebated$139Total$1,139Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 50,000 points
- + First Year Annual Fee Rebate
on TD's website
With this offer for the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you can get up to 50,000 Aeroplan points† as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year†.
- Earn a welcome bonus of 10,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first Purchase with your new Card†
- Earn 15,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of Account opening†.
- Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 12 months of Account opening†
This card also allows you to enjoy travel benefits, such as a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation†, as well as a rebate on the NEXUS program application fee (up to $100 CAD per eligible cardholder) every 48 months†.
With the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn 1.5 points† per $1 spent on:
- Grocery purchases
- Gas and electric vehicle charging purchases
- Purchases made directly with Air Canada® (including Air Canada Vacations®)
You also earn 1 point† per dollar on all other eligible purchases made with your card.
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†Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee
Annual income required
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
- 1.5xGas & EV
- 1.5xGroceries
- 1.5xAir Canada flights
- 1xAll spending
Value
Card benefits
Travel insurance
Purchase protection
Hotel Stays with TD Rewards Points
The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite* Card earns TD Rewards Points, and you can earn them even faster with its welcome offer.
The electrical contractor accepted credit cards, which allowed me to earn points quickly.
Thus, I was able to use 160,600 points (worth $803) for four nights at the Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, Orlando. Combined with the annual $100 Travel credit offered by the card, this stay cost me approximately $179 in total.

- Annual fee
- $0 $139ⓘNo annual fee the first year
- No annual fee the first year
- Our valuation
- $939ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$800Annual fee rebated$139Total$939Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$800Annual fee rebated$139Total$939Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 160,000 points
- + First Year Annual Fee Rebate
on TD's website
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you can earn up to 160,000 TD Rewards Points† as well as an Annual Fee rebate for the first year†:
- 20,000 TD Rewards Points for the first purchase made with your card†
- 140,000 TD Rewards Points when you spend $7,500 within 180 days of account opening†
- A Birthday Bonus of up to 10,000 TD Rewards Points†
Get an annual TD Travel Credit† of $100 when you book at Expedia® For TD, and enjoy your time at the airport with global airport lounge access and 4 complimentary lounge visits with Visa Airport Companion Program (a value of up to $277)†.
With the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card, you earn:
- 8 TD Rewards Points† for every $1 you spend when you book travel through Expedia® For TD†
- 6 TD Rewards Points† per dollar on your grocery, dining and public transit purchases
- 4 TD Rewards Points† per dollar on your recurring bill payments and purchases of streaming services as well as digital games and media
- 2 TD Rewards Points† per dollar on all other purchases made with your card
This card also allows you to enjoy a range of travel benefits, including an annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge visits, and a birthday bonus that boosts your points each year†.
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†Terms and conditions apply.
Annual fee
Annual income required
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
- 6xGroceries
- 6xRestaurants
- 6xTransit
- 4xBills & recurring payments
- 4xStreaming
- 2xAll spending
Value
Card benefits
Travel insurance
Purchase protection
Universal Studios Park Tickets with AIR MILES
The AIR MILES program allows you to purchase Universal Studios park tickets in Florida. To earn them quickly, I combined various promotions (Shop The Block, promotions offering up to 40% back on Miles redemptions, etc.) and signed up for the BMO AIR MILES World Elite Mastercard.
By paying the plumber, I was able to meet the conditions of the welcome offer. In total, including exchange rebates, I used exactly 15,016 AIR MILES Dream Miles for 4 two-day tickets to Universal Studios parks. Here we come, VelociCoaster and butterbeer!

Meals with Scene+ Points
Meals represented the highest portion of the budget, as there aren’t really any points that reimburse restaurant meals at their optimal rate. We took the opportunity to indulge in decadent snacks, treat ourselves to an evening meal to enjoy the atmosphere of City Walk, and buy food at the Walgreens pharmacy near the hotel.
My trick was to charge the vast majority of our hotel restaurant meal expenses to our room bill. This way, the cost appeared under the hotel’s name, categorizing it as a travel expense, and I was able to use my Scene+ points at the optimal rate to reimburse everything.
When it comes to earning points, the welcome offer along with various Scène+ promotions at IGA helped me boost my points balance faster to reach my goal.
In addition, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card allowed me to avoid foreign currency conversion fees.

- Annual fee
- $150
- Our valuation
- $350ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 35,000 points
- Ends Nov 1, 2026
on Scotiabank's website
With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.
Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.
With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.
These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:
- No fees for foreign currency transactions
- 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
- Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
- Visa Infinite* Concierge Services
We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
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* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:
$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;
$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;
$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;
$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);
$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;
$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.
Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)
The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.
1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.
In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.
Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.
Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.
Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.
Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.
Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.
Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.
Annual fee
Annual income required
Conversion fees
0%
Earning rate
- 2xGroceries
- 2xRestaurants
- 2xTransit
- 2xEntertainment
- 1xAll spending
Value
Card benefits
Travel insurance
Purchase protection
Transportation with Scene+ Points and a Travel Credit
I used an Uber to get us from Orlando airport to the hotel and vice versa. This was coded as a travel expense by Scene+ and allowed me to reimburse this expense with my Scene+ points so it cost me nothing.
Then, upon our return, I was able to pay for Valet parking at Park’N Fly at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport with my National Bank World Elite Mastercard. It’s a card I really appreciate and keep in my wallet year after year, mainly because of its $150 annual credit. This allowed me to completely cover the $146 Park’N Fly bill.
Plus, the car was cleared of snow and warm when we arrived thanks to the Valet option, despite the two major snowstorms that hit Montreal while we were away.
- Annual fee
- $0 $150ⓘNo annual fee the first year
- No annual fee the first year
- Our valuation
- $150ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueAnnual fee rebated$150Total$150Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- First Year Annual Fee Rebate
- $150 annual fee rebated
- Ends Nov 4, 2026
on National Bank's website
With Milesopedia, take advantage of an exclusive offer: your first-year annual fees are refunded with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard. This offer is exclusively available on the Milesopedia network, from June 30 to November 4, 2026.
- Refund of the first-year annual fee (a $150 value) for the primary cardholder. This fee is charged to your new card account, then refunded as a credit on your statement within five months of opening your account, provided it remains open and in good standing.
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard is the best Mastercard credit card offered by NBC.
With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:
- 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
- 2 points per dollar on gas and electric recharge purchases
- 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
- 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
- 1 point per dollar for all other purchases
And since it’s an NBC mycredit Mastercard, you can use it at Costco.
With this card, you have access to a $150 annual travel credit that you can use in any of these categories:
- Airport parking
- Baggage fees
- Seat selection
- Access to airport lounges
- Airline ticket upgrades
What’s more, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montreal-Trudeau.
Finally, Milesopedia has named the National Bank World Elite Mastercard as the Best Travel Credit Card in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Legal
® Mastercard and World Elite are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. National Bank is an authorized user.
® The À LA CARTE REWARDS logo is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.
® NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA LOUNGE is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.
® À LA CARTE REWARDS PLAN is a registered trademark of National Bank of Canada.
® Apple Pay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Inc. is not a sponsor of or participant in National Bank Mobile Banking Solutions.
® Google Pay is a registered trademark of Google LLC. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Inc. Permissions.
TM À LA CARTE TRAVEL is a trademark of National Bank of Canada. The À la carte Travel agency is owned by Transat Distribution Canada Inc. and holds a Quebec permit (No. 753141).
TM À LA CARTE REWARDS is a trademark of National Bank of Canada.
® THE TOTAL, THE CONNECTED and NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.
* Mastercard® World Elite®
The National Bank® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card was voted best Mastercard credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.
The National Bank® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card was voted best travel credit card by Milesopedia in 2026, 2025 and 2024.
Every year, Milesopedia reviews credit card offers from major financial institutions and establishes its Ranking based on over 150 criteria such as fees, welcome offer, minimum income required, number of points per category, account credits, insurance, airport lounge access, etc.
- Certain restrictions apply. For more information, see the Rewards Plan section or the Plan Rules applicable to point accumulation.
- Grace period:
No interest is charged on purchases made during the month if the cardholder pays the full balance of their account within twenty-one (21) days of the statement date. This grace period does not apply to cash advances and balance transfers. Minimum payment: if your account balance is less than $10, you must pay the balance in full. If you reside in the province of Quebec, your minimum payment is 5% of your account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. If you reside outside Quebec, your minimum payment is 2.5% of the credit card account balance plus any overdue amount, or $10, whichever is greater. Account statement: an account statement is sent monthly.Table of examples of credit fees calculated over a 30-day period
Annual interest rate $500 $3,000 22.49% $9.24 $55.45 20.99% $8.63 $51.76 13.2% $5.53 $33.16 9.2% $3.78 $22.68 *Variable interest rate in effect as of September 1, 2021.
- Balance transfers and cash advances are subject to National Bank credit approval. Each amount transferred cannot be less than $250.
- Exclusive to World Elite Mastercard cardholders. Presentation of the physical credit card and boarding pass is required to access the lounge.
The National Bank® Lounge is accessible to customers traveling on international flights only (excluding flights to Canada and the United States).
You benefit from free and unlimited access with one guest and two children aged 12 and under.
Until October 4, 2026 (date subject to change), customers can enter the National Bank Lounge three hours before their flight departure time. From October 5, 2026 (date subject to change), access will be authorized for a maximum duration of 2 hours (3 hours for customers who hold a Private Banking 1859® World Elite® Mastercard® credit card).
National Bank customers who are not World Elite ® Mastercard ® cardholders can also access the current lounge based on current rates and benefit from a 25 % discount on these rates :
63,24 $ taxes included for adults (excluding discount)
$40.24 taxes included for children aged 2 to 12 (excluding discount)
free for children under 2 (excluding discount)
The entry fee is subject to change without notice and is the responsibility of the lounge operator. - Subject to providing the required supporting documents in the manner and within the prescribed timeframe. Certain conditions may apply. Only the primary cardholder of a National Bank World Elite Mastercard (Cardholder) whose account is in good standing can request a « Travel Fee Reimbursement ». « Account in good standing » means an account linked to the credit card that does not violate the Credit Card Agreement in any way and on which no restrictions apply. For example, and without limitation, the associated annual fees must have been paid in full. The maximum reimbursement of $150 can be requested from January 1 to December 31 of each year.
Eligible expenses are:
airport parking
baggage fees
seat selection
airport lounge access worldwide
airline ticket upgrades
A reimbursement request must be made within 60 days of the purchase date. Travel expenses must be charged to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard credit card account. The maximum reimbursement of $150 is applicable per account. Please allow up to 7 business days for the reimbursement to be processed from the date your request is submitted. National Bank reserves the right to request additional supporting documents for validation purposes (e.g., invoices). You must keep all receipts and supporting documents for a period of 12 months from the date you made your reimbursement request. An unused reimbursement in one year cannot be carried over to the next year. You can make your request online at rewards.nbc.ca or by calling 1-800-341-8083 (toll-free) for an agent to assist you with your travel fee reimbursement request. - Point accumulation on grocery and restaurant spending depends on the total gross monthly amount charged to the credit card account, across all categories. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on eligible grocery and restaurant purchases. The 5 points per dollar accumulation is valid for the first $2,500 of gross monthly purchases charged to the account. Beyond this amount, eligible grocery and restaurant spending will earn 2 points per dollar. The calculation of the gross monthly purchase amount is based on monthly billing. A grocery purchase means a purchase made at a merchant whose primary business is selling food, such as a grocery store, delicatessen, supermarket, fruit store, or specialty food store. Meal kit subscriptions and meal delivery services are eligible. Therefore, this definition excludes, among others, retail stores and big-box stores whose primary business is selling non-food items. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. A restaurant purchase means a purchase made at a restaurant, including quick-service restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, and taverns. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan® terms and conditions document.
- These protections apply if the purchases or rental are paid for in part with the card before departure, except, if applicable, for out-of-province medical-hospital insurance for which it is not necessary to charge the purchase of an à la carte trip and for baggage delay protection where the full cost of transport must have been charged to the card. All these protections apply to the primary cardholder, their spouse and/or their dependent children when they (spouse and dependent children) travel with the cardholder. Extended warranties apply to most new items purchased with the card, in Canada or abroad, provided the manufacturer’s warranty exists and is valid in Canada. Certain conditions, limitations and restrictions apply. For more information and details regarding your insurance coverage, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.
- Subject to credit approval by National Bank.
- Certain conditions apply. Visit mastercard.ca for more information. See all credit card terms and conditions.
- To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your gas or electric charging purchases at a gas station or certain big-box stores. Some merchants may sell products or services identical or similar to those of eligible merchants, or are separate merchants located on the same premises as eligible merchants, but are classified by Mastercard in different categories. Purchases made from other merchants only earn base reward points. To view the full list of Mastercard codes associated with eligible merchants, download the À la carte Rewards Plan® terms and conditions document.
- Recurring bill payments are defined as payments made monthly or regularly that are automatically charged by the merchant to your National Bank World Elite Mastercard. Not all merchants offer recurring payments, and not all recurring payments are considered recurring bill payments. Therefore, some payments may not qualify for accelerated reward points.
- To earn 2 points per dollar spent, you must pay for your eligible purchases through the À la carte TravelTM agency section of our À la carte RewardsTM site.
- For example, if you spend $400 monthly on groceries, $200 on gas, $100 on recurring bills and $150 on other purchases, the $850 spent will generate 2,750 points, broken down as follows: 2,000 points for grocery spending (since the total gross monthly amount is $850, which is less than $2,500), 400 points for gas spending, 200 points for recurring bills and 150 points for other purchases.
- Insurance up to $1,000 in case of breakage, loss or theft of mobile devices for a maximum period of 2 years following the date of purchase. Subject to purchasing the device with the National Bank World Elite Mastercard or a phone service subscription paid by recurring payments from your National Bank Platinum Mastercard starting September 1, 2022. For all conditions, please consult the insurance certificate linked to your card.
Annual fee
Annual income required
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
- 5xRestaurants
- 5xGroceries
- 2xTravel
- 2xBills & recurring payments
- 2xGas & EV
- 1xAll spending
Value
Card benefits
Travel insurance
Purchase protection
Pay for Travel with Renovations
Home renovations and travel can work together as part of a well-planned strategy.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the new Epic Universe at Universal Studios, Disneyland Paris, or any other destination, the principle is the same: use your credit cards strategically to turn every dollar spent into travel rewards. These are purchases you would have made anyway.
It’s also a way to reward yourself after the inconveniences of renovations!
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee$139 $0 | Welcome offer Up to 160,000 points | ||
| Annual fee$150 | Welcome offer Up to 35,000 pointsEnds Nov 1, 2026 | ||
| Annual fee$139 $0 | Welcome offer Up to 50,000 points |
Our featured card
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuation
- $990ⓘMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Milesopedia first-year estimateⓘFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- Welcome offer
- Up to 110,000 points
- Ends Sep 22, 2026
on American Express's website
Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreⓘApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.
New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:
- Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
- Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.
This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.
Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.
To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.
The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.
You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.
Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.
Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.
You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.
The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.
Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
Legal
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Annual fee
Annual income required
Conversion fees
2.5%
Earning rate
- 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2xAll spending
Value
Travel insurance
Purchase protection
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